Leeds, August 20: The first Test match between England and Pakistan at Headingley faced another setback due to rain on the second day. The first session was completely washed out, leaving England trailing Pakistan’s first innings by 59 runs at lunch.
The rain had already impacted the first day’s play, where Pakistan was bowled out for just 171 runs. England managed to score 112 runs for the loss of 2 wickets in 25 overs before the end of the first day.
Ben Duckett and Emilio shared a partnership of 36 runs for the first wicket. Duckett scored 15 runs before being dismissed, followed by Emilio, who made 33 runs, falling at a score of 48. Jordan Cox then partnered with captain Joe Root, adding 64 runs for the third wicket before the day’s end.
Cox hit 4 fours in his 23 runs, while Root remained unbeaten on 37, hitting 6 fours. Mohammad Abbas and Mohammad Ali each took a wicket for Pakistan.
Earlier, Pakistan, batting first after losing the toss, could only manage 171 runs in 48.1 overs. They lost two quick wickets, falling to 6 runs. Abdullah Shafique tried to stabilize the innings with Imam-ul-Haq, forming a partnership of 91 runs for the second wicket. However, once this partnership was broken, wickets fell rapidly.
Imam scored 42 runs with 6 fours, while Shafique made 61 runs, hitting 8 fours. Pakistan lost their fifth wicket, captain Salman Agah, for 21 runs on the third ball of the 45th over, followed by Ali Usman for a duck on the next delivery. Agah and Mohammad Rizwan added 32 runs together.
For England, Ollie Robinson and Josh Tong shared all 10 wickets. Robinson took 5 wickets for 51 runs in 18 overs, while Tong claimed 5 wickets for 46 runs in 9.1 overs.
Injured Babar Azam is not playing in this match, and Salman Ali has been appointed as the captain in his absence. Pakistan’s playing eleven includes Salman, Azaan Awais, Imam-ul-Haq, Shan Masood, Abdullah Shafique, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Ali Usman, Khurram Shehzad, Mohammad Ali, and Mohammad Abbas.
England’s playing eleven consists of Ben Duckett, Emilio Gay, Jordan Cox, Joe Root (captain), Harry Brook, Dan Lawrence, Jamie Smith (wicketkeeper), Ollie Robinson, Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer, and Josh Tong.